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Proxy Votes

Why have a finite number of US State Representatives?
 
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With the information age giving anyone in any remote location the opportunity to become instantly informed on important events, why not create a system of law making that enables the average Joe to vote on the important issues of the day? I propose setting up the House of Representatives to have an infinite number of "representatives." Voters in a state can proxy their votes through an election to any candidate they choose (any candidate, irrespective of political party or their nominations), or, can register their own vote in the US House once every two years. Any candidate in any state that receives more than 5% of the population's proxies can "sit in" on debates (live or virtually) and use their number of proxies as a weighted vote in the House. A representative that receives 120,000 proxies will have 120,000 votes, while one that has 15,000 proxies will have 15,000 votes. Law making will truly be made by the people. Individuals wishing to vote on their own will be regulated to keeping their vote only if they vote in at least 25-33% of all bills up for vote in the House. Voting can be done daily on the Internet. Otherwise, they submit their proxy by default to one of their state representatives (their choice) if their voting isn't regularly attended to. The Senate can be kept similar to how it is now, but those lawmakers, through this new system, will have a much better idea as to how the populace thinks on each individual issue, and these voters can do a better job of making sure their Senators are taking care of the needs that are important to them.
larrytharpe, May 30 2001

Real-Time Forest Voting http://www.halfbake...e_20forest_20voting
A similar idea that has been proposed here. [Aristotle, May 30 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]

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       whoops. so much for being the new guy...
larrytharpe, May 30 2001
  

       Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!
Do think politicions would EVER lets this happen? It might be good for the country or something!
  

      
Oh, and hackers could do some crazy stuff.
salmon, May 30 2001
  

       I kind of like this idea. Direct electronic democracy has been proposed many times but the fear is that it would be too susceptible to demagoguery; also, most people don't have the time or inclination to familiarize themselves with the intricacies of government (that's why we have specialists).   

       But being able to change my vote in real time according to whether I like that politician's approach to the issue of the day has its appeal. Hmmm. And I'd stil have the ability to vote directly if I were one of the rare people who wanted to take the time.
wiml, May 31 2001
  

       Direct representation <"I represent these people on this petition"> was mentioned in Heinlein's 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress'...Sounded a decent idea...
StarChaser, May 31 2001
  


 

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